Türkiye condemns every attack on civilians: Defense minister

By Nazli Yuzbasioglu and Sarp Ozer

BRUSSELS (AA) – The Turkish defense minister on Thursday stressed that Türkiye condemns every attack on civilians and civilian populated areas in the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict.

During a meeting with the Turkish media at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Yasar Guler also remarked that the release of hostages, preventing the conflict from spreading to other fronts and ending the conflict as soon as possible are Ankara's priorities.

In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, Israeli forces launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

On the developments related to Ukraine, he reiterated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been resolutely trying to revive the grain deal that allowed the export of Ukrainian grain to the international markets via the Black Sea.

Guler also said that sanctions and limitations imposed by some countries on Türkiye harm NATO and Ukraine.

About the country's role in the alliance, he stressed that Türkiye greatly contributes to NATO operations, missions as well as command structures.

Guler also highlighted that Türkiye remains committed to the deal reached in NATO's Vilnius Summit regarding Sweden's NATO bid but expects more tangible steps from Sweden, including stricter laws to combat terrorism.

"The Turkish Parliament has the final say," he noted.

Furthermore, he added that the latest terror attack in the Turkish capital city of Ankara proved that the terrorist threat the country faces is alive.

"Conditions in Syria and Iraq create fertile ground for terrorism," Guler said.

Against this backdrop, despite all the contributions we made to NATO, the limitations on the export of defense products by some NATO allies are not acceptable, he remarked.

“There is no excuse for supporting PKK/YPG and we expect full solidarity and support from our NATO allies,” Guler added.

“We remain resolute in fighting every terror group as long as it takes,” he vowed.